Fuel Injector Fixing Element Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fuel injector connections in internal combustion engines are complex to manufacture and prone to structure-borne noise, which complicates axial and radial alignment, and sealing within limited installation spaces.

Innovation Solution

A screw head fixing element with a blind hole and internal thread is used to securely attach the fuel injector to a receiving element, providing axial and radial alignment through contact surfaces, and a polygon socket for rotational fixation, minimizing play and twisting, while incorporating sealing arrangements to reduce noise and ensure precise positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If geometrically complex connecting clamps or hold-down devices are used to secure fuel injection valves, then the fuel injection valve can be securely attached, but the manufacturing complexity and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of fuel injection valveVSAvoidgeometric complexity of connecting clamp
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is divided into separate functional components: a receiving element with contact surface in the fuel distributor, a fixing element with opposing contact surface, and a clamping element. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler in geometry while collectively achieving secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving element acts as an intermediary component between the fuel injection valve and the fuel distributor. It provides the contact surface that interfaces with the fixing element, simplifying the overall connection geometry while ensuring reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complex connecting structures are used for fuel injection valve attachment, then secure fixation is achieved, but axial and radial alignment precision becomes more difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation securityVSAvoidaxial and radial alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving element is pre-positioned in the fuel distributor with its contact surface oriented to receive the fixing element. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the fixing element is installed, axial and radial alignment is automatically achieved without requiring complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical alignment features with a simpler contact surface interface. The axial and radial alignment is achieved through the geometric relationship between the contact surfaces of the receiving element and fixing element, rather than through complex mechanical alignment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If traditional connecting clamps are used to secure fuel injection valves, then the fuel injection valve can be fixed, but structure-borne noise increases due to vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefuel injection valve fixationVSAvoidstructure-borne noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving element is designed with vibration-damping properties to cushion the connection between the fuel injection valve and the fuel distributor. This beforehand cushioning reduces structure-borne noise and vibration while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving element may incorporate composite materials or material combinations that provide both mechanical strength for secure fixation and vibration-damping properties to reduce structure-borne noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If more complex sealing arrangements are incorporated to reduce noise and ensure sealing, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged into the receiving element and fixing element themselves, rather than being separate components. This integration achieves effective sealing while minimizing the installation space required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing arrangements may utilize flexible sealing elements or thin film seals that provide effective sealing in a compact form factor, minimizing the space required while maintaining sealing effectiveness under high pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3613978B1Arrangement of a fuel injection valve on a fuel distributor of a combustion engine
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3613978B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement for connecting at least one fuel injection valve (300) to a fuel distributor (200) of a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine, which is detachably attached to a cylinder head (100), wherein the at least one fuel injection valve (300) is detachably attached to a receiving element (210) of the fuel distributor (200) by means of a fixing element (330).It is provided that a cylinder-away surface (A210) of the receiving element (210) of the fuel distributor (200) and a cylinder-towards surface (A330) of the fixing element (330) are designed as contact surfaces (A210, A330) in the assembled state of cylinder head (100) and fuel distributor (200) as well as the fuel injector (300), by means of which axial fixing and radial alignment of the fuel injector (300) in the cylinder head (100) and in the receiving element (210) of the fuel distributor (200) respectively can be effected by attaching the fixing element (330) to the fuel injector (300).